I Became a Captain of the British Empire

On the road to prepare

The spring breeze carried the heat. Sunlight poured from the sky dyed blue as if painting a canvas. The golden curtain shook as if stroking the earth.

That’s what French thought as she sat by the window in the captain’s office and quietly looked out over the harbor. Because the busy footsteps did not stop. The waves with white foam, the port agents rushing around, and the barges busy with the support of the giants all moved breathlessly.

“It seems that the port has returned to life. Bedford.”

Frenchy opened her eyes from the window and looked at the man sitting across from her. A man sitting quietly raised his head at the sound of a voice calling him.

“There are many ways to boost morale, but none are as true as victory.”

Bedford, who put down the teacup, looked relaxed as if the war had ended. It was absurd, but Frenchy did not forget her duty.

The man sitting in front of him now is the only person in the Royal Navy who has beaten an aircraft carrier.

“You seem fearless.”

“Are you saying I look like a battleship?”

It was French who shook his head at the cold answer. He frowned, cleared his throat, and continued with a tone of absurdity.

“In a way, isn’t that funny? I only caught 4 battleships, but I can’t believe I’m so excited.”

I turned my eyes toward the window. Beyond the blue sky, the fumes of the Grand Fleet still seemed to flutter like flags as before.

Even Bedford, who was fond of jokes, did not dare to interrupt the recollection.

Any Royal Navy captain with even the slightest experience misses those days.

A time when the dreadnoughts of the British Empire easily passed two positions.

But it was just a memory that was already buried on the other side of memory.

“To see the charter change with just two ships. To be honest, I am a little afraid.”

“What do you mean?”

Bedford asked, taking a sip of his teacup. Frenchy let out a deep sigh.

“Isn’t that increasing the burden on individuals? Especially in situations like this.”

“He looks uneasy.”

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Perhaps it was because her true intentions were revealed at once, French intentionally avoided looking at her. He kept turning around and hiding his true feelings, but the experienced captain was not too aware of it.

Bedford laughed heartily, as if caring for him, and nodded helplessly, saying he couldn’t keep the taste anymore.

“It has no choice but to be. If you ask me if I’m in a bad mood, I’d say yes. Your pride hurts.”

“If you think you’ve been pushed by that troublemaker, you can’t help but be. I don’t know if it’s Cunningham.”

Unexpectedly, he took a sip of the teacup and stuck out his tongue. Frenchy blinked in surprise.

“Didn’t you like him?”

Bedford laughed and waved his hand.

“Well, first of all, I tend to admit my skills. I’m not sure about his personality.”

“A skill? If there was a guy on my ship who did something like that, I would have thrown him into the sea right away.”

Hearing the story for a moment, he smiled and waved his hand as if tears were coming out. Frenchy also lifted the teacup with twitching lips, as if his words were so good. The sight of him hurriedly turning around surrounded by a column of water from a 14-inch shell.

From the eyes of the two experienced captains, it wasn’t clumsy. It was completely non-basic.

“Anyway, I think the idea of the plan is great. but… Isn’t there an order though?”

Setting down the glass, French continued quietly. There was silence for a while, like a deep sigh.

“It feels like all my career has become a piece of paper.”

“I’ll relax. It’s not that Admiral Pound doesn’t spare you either. Isn’t that why you made Hood your flagship?”

“That’s enough for now, though.”

Frenchie lowered her head. Looking at this hood he was stepping on, somehow his heart felt heavy.

Hood, whose engine part was partially hit in the last battle. Since speed, the core of a battlecruiser, is impaired, it must be returned to its home country for repairs. As a bonus, we also carried out the work that could not be completed in the last opening.

If that happens, by the time Hood comes out to sea again, another ship will take the title of the Royal Navy’s largest giant.

When I thought about it, the bitter feeling did not go away.

“So Young, you’re so blushing.”

In an instant, a knock sounded through the room. French said without turning his head.

“Come in.”

A slender sailor entered the room.

“What is it?”

“We have visitors.”

“visitor?

Is it Admiral Pound?

That was the first thought that crossed French’s head.

But the admiral is now at the port command.

The two captains looked at each other and tilted their heads.

“Who is it?”

“that is… .”

The horsetail was uneasy. For some reason, the sailor was reluctant to speak. After seeing the captain’s hardened face, he hurriedly opened his mouth.

“Captain Repulse wants to see the captain.”

French seemed to understand why the sailor was flustered.

How could there be such an awkward atmosphere? Sitting face to face with the two captains, I looked down at the teacup.

I have something to say, but for some reason I hesitate to bring it out. It’s so awkward…

It seems that they were also taken aback by the sudden visit. Only a cold silence followed.

“Yes, Captain Lewis must have had a hard time too.”

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Putting down the teacup, Tiger’s Captain Bedford opened his mouth. Thanking him for barely speaking, he nodded his head slightly.

“Yes, thanks to your help.”

“What do you mean by someone who has held the title of squadron commander again? I heard that Captain Lewis played a big part in this battle.”

That’s sarcastic.

Speaking of squadron commander, I could sense that the title was always called captain. I quietly looked at the veteran captain in front of me.

Arthur ED Bedford. Tiger’s captain, and an old general who is about to be promoted to major general. We’ve already worked together once, but it seems that they don’t look at me in a good way. Not to mention Captain Hood French.

“The help in that battle is greatly appreciated.”

“Help… .”

Frenchie, who had been quiet, opened her mouth. He took a sip of his tea and turned his gaze to me.

“I thought Repulse’s location was an advantageous composition from the beginning, so I didn’t need help.”

I shuddered involuntarily at the provocative voice. Frenchie frowned.

“Look, French.”

Bedford raised his hand to dissuade him.

Even he seemed to think it was harsh.

But Frenchie didn’t stop.

“If the captain had been able to assemble a larger ship skillfully, I don’t think we would have been in such a crisis.”

“Wait, aren’t you talking too much!”

Bedford jumped in between us, thrusting his upper body.

“Starting with Repulse’s charge, we immediately went into close combat and were able to annihilate the enemy ships. If the timing was late, there’s a chance we might have missed a significant number of enemy capital ships. Wouldn’t you deny that too?”

“… Well, in the end, it became an opportunity to annihilate the enemy.”

A Frenchman who blurts out his words.

however,

“But your risky actions almost cost us a valuable battlecruiser.”

He turned his gaze back to me.

Bedford reluctantly came out and looked at him alternately, swallowing a sigh.

Something made sense.

In other words, you don’t like me.

Well, it’s also an expected reaction.

The conclusion is one.

“There is something I would like to say about him.”

In a solemn voice, he opened his mouth.

The shadows of the lofty mountains colored the land. The ice caps on the summit shone pure white in the bright sunlight, and the fresh spring breeze brushed my cheeks.

‘Peter Browder’, an ordinary rifleman who was just one of many soldiers in the 1st Infantry Division of the US Army, looked at the mountains with a face stained with awe. Under the green forest that covered the foot of the vast mountain, the long river flowed sternly as if it were alive. Peter couldn’t contain his admiration.

“I think you did well by coming here.”

Above the rattling truck on the unmaintained road, he said in a stream. To him, who had only seen sooty factories and shabby slums, the scenery created by the great nature of Quebec was a terrifyingly beautiful masterpiece.

Of course, that was my own impression.

“Do you really think so?”

The squad leader, who was lowering his head next to him, raised an eyebrow.

“Recruit, where did you say you were from?”

“This is Detroit.”

“Since I’ve lived in a place like that, it sounds comfortable.”

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Peter was offended, but he didn’t dare to say anything. I had already grown tired of the neglect of those who were born and raised in big cities. He learned to be patient.

The squad leader leaned against the railing of the truck, resting his elbow on it and looking up at the sky. Where even the clouds were scattered by the wind, not even a single bird flew. Occupying this quiet zone would be a piece of cake, the superiors said in unison.

Dog bullsh*t.

The squad leader gritted his teeth and whispered.

“It’s good to keep an eye on it. After two days, you’ll want to uproot all those damn trees.”

After saying that in passing, the squad leader looked up at the sky and frowned.

whistling sound.

It was very brief. However, during that moment, Peter could see the expressions of his colleagues who were hardened like stones.

“Gyeongpo! Get down!”

A roar shook his mind.

… After a while, Peter was able to raise his head.

“Everyone stay still! A second bombardment may come!”

“help me! Medic!”

“Here is a wounded soldier!”

All kinds of voices were pouring out. Peter looked around quietly. Cold smoke rose from the craters dug in all directions. Instead of the smell of rustling grass, a disgusting burnt smell stung the tip of my nose.

“Damn it! Hey recruit! Are you alive?”

Someone pulled him from behind. Peter blinked at the touch on his cheek. was the squad leader.

“Are you alive? Damn, have you lost your mind again? Anyway, this is why the chick… .”

“Hey, this is… .”

“what? Do you know who I am?”

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Peter held his breath. Panting, he murmured little by little. After catching my breath for a while, I barely spoke as if I was vomiting in frustration.

“Wasn’t this a safe place?”

“Did you think there would be a safe place on the front lines? Fool!”

A sharp bruise pierced his ear. Surprised by that, Peter blinked his eyes. He shook his head and looked at the squad leader. In contrast to him, who was busy trembling like an aspen tree, the squad leader kept his mouth raised.

But Peter could never be relieved to see those burning eyes.

“Welcome to Quebec.”

When I turned my head, only then did the identity of the acrid smell appear. The body was burning violently in the shelling pit.

I went down the stairs with light steps. As I move my feet into the harbor, I feel the texture of hard concrete beneath my shoes.

No matter how much you live, as long as you stay afloat, you can’t compare it to land.

Looking at the leisurely anchored hood, I thought.

“Kirk, did you wait long?”

“no. Rather, you came earlier than expected.”

“It’s because things worked out so easily.”

I walked quietly along the harbor. The waves crashing on the breakwater let out a refreshing cry.

“Me, Captain?”

“huh?”

“Are you finished with the story?”

Kirk, who had followed closely behind, asked insinuatingly.

“Well, that’s okay.”

The expected results were definitely obtained.

No, it’s more than that.

“There is a saying. There is a saying to make your enemies your friends.”

“What are you talking about all of a sudden?”

“It’s just that we exchanged some good words.”

Yes, it was a deep story.

Thanks to that, I was able to come back with a light heart.

“I need to meet some officers from now on. When you get back, I’ll prepare some tea for you.”

“yes? Is it not coffee?”

“Don’t most officers like cars?”

Kirk tilted his head.

It must have been surprising since I used to drink coffee every day. But there are reasons to do so.

“That is true, but… All right.”

“Please help me.”

I answered with a smile on purpose, and then accelerated my steps.

There is still much work to be done.

Looking at Captain Repulse from the window of Hood’s captain’s office, French looked incomprehensible. Beside him, Bedford got up from his seat and asked.

“Are you upset?”

“Well, I can’t say no.”

With a smile, Bedford walked up behind him and looked out the window in the same way. It was a particularly proud back.

Then, seeing a colleague with a blushing face, he said playfully.

“I bet you didn’t know I was going to apologize first.”

Frenchie flinched and shook her head. Eventually, he reluctantly opens his mouth.

“okay. I would be lying if I said I wasn’t embarrassed.”

I had no choice but to admit it.

Who would have known that he would bow his head first?

But it wasn’t just an apology. He clearly organized and recited his tactics, reasons, significance, and limitations. Even French, who had spent decades in the military, would not dare to dispute the theory.

I couldn’t believe he was an incompetent officer. No, it was definitely an idea that surpassed him.

What’s even more surprising is that after solving the theory, he suddenly corrected himself politely.

He asked in a polite voice, as if a first-time cadet treats an instructor.

“How can I become a good captain… .”

“Isn’t that a pretty profound question?”

“Stop playing around, Bedford.”

At the sharp voice, Bedford shrugged. Then he put his hands behind his back and walked to the door.

“What are you so serious about? I think it turned out surprisingly well.”

“No, I mean, it’s not like that.”

“Then what?”

When he turned his head and asked, French took a sip of the cooled teacup and continued.

“The Samuel Lewis I know… He’s arrogant, rude, and dissolute. That’s right, a son of a b*tch! But now it’s as if people have changed… .”

Frenchie was waving her hands as if she wanted to express something. But he soon gave up and sighed. Of course I couldn’t understand. Bedford tilted his head.

“Well, it looks like you’ve come to some realization. Isn’t there a saying that a seat makes a person?”

“Yes, of course you have to feel responsible, but… .”

He couldn’t speak any more. Clearly there was something going on. However, it was not clearly visible, as if it was covered in misty frost.

“Is it really like that?”

Feeling stuffy like fog, I stared out the window.

It was then.

“Captain! This is an urgent report!”

At the sound of hasty footsteps, French turned his head.